Combat Fleets

On 29 November 2004, France's third Le Triomphant -class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Le Vigilant , was commissioned into service. She is to replace Le Redoutable -class SSBN L'Indomptable , which has served since 1977 and is expected to retire this year. In line with the U.S. Navy custom of separate Blue and Gold crews, the French nuclear deterrent submarine force also uses two alternating crews, dubbed Red and Blue.

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